MAKE A NOTE!! -- April 20, 2005
CIRCULATION - 47,082 (From Around the World! :-)
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A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT MAY 4TH, 2005
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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My Favorite: Books
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Tax Breaks for US Contractors Abroad
The word is spreading around the USA that contractors working abroad can get some significant tax breaks, but how long do they have to be away and how much can they save? That question seems to be popping up all over the place. So here's the answer straight from IRS Representative #28-10210. All the answers to these questions, and the details, are in IRS Publication 54-"Tax Guide for US Citizens Abroad." Readers can go to this web site...
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97819,00.html
and scroll down to that publication and print it themselves. Here is the summary of what he told me. Up to $80,000 of your income abroad is tax free under certain conditions. You have to be assigned to the overseas area for a 12 month calendar year. Of that year assignment you have to actually be IN country (as in, not on vacation in the US) for 330 days. If you vacation in the overseas country, then that counts as in-country time. Here's an added plus...if you are in the country for a period of 12 months, over a 2 year period (e.g. 9 months in 2004, and 3 months in 2005 with a break of several months back in the US), you can still receive some tax free income. Like a partial tax break, it is prorated somehow. We also recommend that you have taxes taken out at a normal rate while the person is overseas, then just get the money back with your tax refund at the end of the year. Why?...sometimes things happen like illness, injury, or job changes, that might cut your year short, then you would have to pay all those taxes that they weren't taking out. So play it safe and count your chickens AFTER they hatch. I have no idea what state tax laws are in effect, but I imagine it would vary from state to state.
POST IT...with your tax records.
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Touch Up Paint Rule
Have you tried touching up some chips in the paint on your vehicle? Does it seem to not quite blend in or appears lumpy? Well, maybe you never heard how important it is to shake the paint well before using. A body shop supervisor told me that the biggest mistake people make when using touch up paint is not shaking it long enough before using. The paint tends to sit for long times between uses, and needs to be shaken for at least 10 minutes to make sure it is very well mixed. Also be sure to use touch up paint from the dealer that matches your paint exactly (usually listed on the side of the driver's door), and use very lightly. If necessary more coats can be applied after 5 min of drying time.
POST IT...with your touch up paint, or in your car's manual.
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Paid Under Protest
Have you ever had cause to question a bill for services, but still had to pay? Maybe you wanted to get your car out of a repair shop whose services you had begun to doubt, but they wouldn't release it until you paid their bill. You needed that car! So what do you do? Whenever this type of thing occurs, where you have to pay, but question the legitimacy of the bill, write a check for the amount, but on the memo line write in big letters, "PAID UNDER PROTEST." If you have to pay in cash or by credit card, then on the receipt they give you (and that you give them), near your signature, write the same thing. That way, if you end up having to take them to court, there will be no question that you didn't feel the payment was right.
POST IT...in your checkbook, or with your credit card.
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The Nicest Candles
So often when scented candles are purchased, it is hard to smell them at all unless you're right on top of them. Or after a few lightings, the scent quickly disappears as though it may have only been sprayed on, or they cost you an arm and a leg. Well, here's an alternative just in time for Mother's Day! Country Passion Candles (www.countrypassion.com) Are beautifully hand crafted, strongly scented throughout, with a truly unique appearance (nicely lumpy, bumpy, & shiny...the photos on the web site don't completely do them justice) that should make them a joy to receive. They have a huge assortment of sizes, scents, and colors. Your favorite scent will fill the room before you even light the candle. If it becomes a little too much, do as our other tester (and neighbor) Ruth L. suggested, and move it from room to room to spread the aroma around. While these candles will fit in particularly well in any country décor, I think they're beautiful enough to fit in just about anywhere else too. Don't miss their Grub Bucks program, where you can sign up to get a 10% discount number for any friends & family who order, which can earn you discounts on YOUR future orders. By the way, they include a free sampler of melts (the scented candle wax that is burned in little pots) to every order, and have everyday specials on their web site. They do ship anywhere in the USA and to APOs, but not internationally at this time. Missy, the owner of Country Passion AND maker of these gorgeous products has even been kind enough to offer some specials to our readers...10% off first purchase for all subscribers. To qualify you must note "MAKEANOTE" code in the 'additional info' area in cart. Discount will be "manually" discounted by Missy so will not be reflected in cart total. Offer expires May 31, 2005. AND ANOTHER SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR READERS!..."Cinco de Mayo" Raffle: Win $100 in Country Passion Candles!! Subscribers that note "MAKEANOTE" code WITH purchase of chances will receive an additional FIVE chances FREE! Looks like our readers will never have a better deal, than they do now, so be sure to check them out and let me know what your favorite scent turns out to be!
POST IT...where you keep your gift cards, on the calendar before special gift giving days, your computer, and on your own shopping list.
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Recipe: Duncan Hines Carrot Cake
As you long time readers will know, the Make a Note LOVES Duncan Hines
products, and spring just seems the perfect time of year for carrot cake. But
oh, all that preparation. Duncan Hines has a short cut recipe that is sure to
make your mouth water. You can go directly to the web site for the recipe is a
clearer format...
http://www.duncanhines.com/displayRecipes/displayDH.asp?recipeID=357
Or check it out below if you don't have web site access...
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 ºF. Grease and flour 13x9-inch pan.
- Combine 1 pkg Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Classic Yellow cake mix, 2 C fresh grated carrots, 8oz can crushed pineapple, with juice, 1/2 C water, 3 large eggs, 1/2C oil, 1/2C finely chopped pecans, and 2 tsp ground cinnamon in large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer until moistened. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan.
- Spread 1 tub Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Cream Cheese frosting on
cooled cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
POST IT...in your recipe box and shopping list.
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Back Issue Treasure: June 1st, 2000 Issue
Head to this back issue to check out more info on computer virus protection, always a good thing to keep up with (you might also want to check out our web site Bonus on the Top Mistakes people make with their computers). Looking for things to do for the kids this summer?...find out about free craft classes for kids (or even adults). It is that horrible time of year again, time to buy a swimsuit; our article on how to buy the most flattering suit will help to make the process a little less painful. For other clothes, check out the article on Hand Me Down Parties for Moms. If you or someone you know has had a baby in the last year, check out this article to find out how to get them a free circus ticket that can be used when the child is older.
To retrieve these back issues click HERE.
POST IT...by your computer.
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Missing Child: JULIAN GONZALEZ
Julian (2-YR-OLD, white/Hispanic male, brown hair/eyes, 2'10", 28 lbs) disappeared from Salinas, CA, USA on Mar 27, 2005 and may be in the company of his non-custodial mother, Henrietta Munoz (32-yr-old, white/Hispanic female, brown hair/eyes, 5', 100 lbs). Henrietta's hair has blonde highlights in it and she has a tattoo of "Roy" on her shoulder. She may go by the alias first name Enriqueta and the alias last name Espino, Gonzalez, Moreno, or Munoz. To see/print a poster, go to...
Or go to www.ncmec.org, click on "More Search Options," then enter his name.
POST IT...in your car or business, esp. if you are in the Salinas, CA area.
Final Words
JOKE (Funny, but true)
"If you're not modest, you're probably overestimating yourself." --Tim Cordes, 28-yr-old MD, black belt in TaeKwonDo and Jujitsu, valedictorian at the University of Notre Dame and...blind. To read more about this inspiring man, go to... http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/04/02/seeing.no.limits.ap/
QUOTE
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
--George Eliot (AKA Mary Ann or Marian Evans), (1819-1880), English Novelist
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AT&T's Community Port
AT&T has a site about WorldNet members, like us, who have created their own personal web pages. If you think our site deserves to be featured on AT&T's Community Port , send them an e-mail about it, at communities@att.net. Be sure to include the page's URL http://home.att.net/~make-a-note/index.htm and why you think our site is special.
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